Antihistamines

Antihistamines are the backbone of allergy treatment. They block histamine, the chemical your body releases during an allergic reaction, easing sneezing, itching and runny noses. Modern once-daily options like cetirizine and loratadine are non-drowsy for most people, while older ones such as chlorphenamine (the ingredient in Piriton) work quickly but can cause sleepiness – sometimes useful at night. If one type isn’t touching your symptoms, switching to another is often all it takes.